Ten Things You Need to Know Today Thursday 25 Oct 2012

The UK economy surged out of recession between July and September. The Office for National Statistics says that GDP grew by 1 per cent – the fastest rate since September 2007. Sales of tickets to the Olympics and Paralympics were included, adding 0.2% to the rising GDP.

The identities of three doctors linked to Jimmy Savile who are alleged to have abused children in their care have been passed to detectives. They have been identified by alleged victims since the scandal over Savile's activities erupted. A consultant paediatrician at Stoke Mandeville, Dr Michael Salmon, was jailed in 1990 for assaulting teenage girls.

HURRICANE SANDY HITS JAMAICA, CUBA

After ripping across Jamaica, Hurricane Sandy hit Cuba this morning, where 55,000 have been evacuated from their homes after warnings that 26ft ocean waves were expected. The hurricane has strengthened to a Category 2 storm and is expected to head north from Cuba towards southern Florida and the Bahamas.

FORD CUTS 1,400 JOBS IN THE UK

Carmaker Ford has announced plans to close two UK manufacturing sites with the loss of 1,400 jobs. It will shut its Transit van production plant in Southampton, which employs 500 people and is the last remaining site in the UK where Ford makes vehicles. The company will also end its stamping operation in Dagenham. Both sites will close in 2013.

Mitt Romney has refused to withdraw his support of Richard Mourdock, the Republican Senate candidate in Indiana who claimed that pregnancies from rape are "something that God intended to happen". Although Romney "disagrees" with Mourdock on when abortion should be allowed, he will not pull an advert endorsing Mourdock's Senate bid.

A fungal disease that has killed about 90% of ash trees in Denmark has been found in two woodlands in East Anglia. Ash dieback, caused by the pathogen Chalara fraxinea, had until now been known in the UK only in nursery specimens. Experts say that should the disease become established, it could be as devastating as Dutch elm disease.

MPs on the Commons international development committee say Britain may have to recognize that the goal of creating a "viable state" in Afghanistan is not realistic. Instead, we should switch to aid targets such as helping women who are three times worse off than men and far more likely to be illiterate.

Property mogul Donald Trump yesterday revealed his much-hyped election "bombshell" to be an offer to President Obama of $5m to be donated to a charity of his choice if he would reveal his university and passport records. The "October surprise" had been rumoured to be a "discovery" of Obama divorce papers and the 'offer' was deemed farcical.

James Dyson has launched a High Court claim against German rivals Bosch, demanding that they return blueprints for the "secret motor technology" which he claims was stolen by an industrial spy from his multi-million-pound vacuum cleaner business in Wiltshire. Dyson believes an employee, known by Bosch, was paid £11,500 for the plans.

The Broadway musical production based on the 1980 Dolly Parton movie '9 to 5', has opened at London's New Wimbledon Theatre to strong reviews. It tells the 'bonkers' story of a trio of office workers who conspire to kidnap their sexist boss and features new songs by Parton. "Cheerful feminist fantasy", says The Times.